THE PRO SHOP: SUSAN LARKIN
“I am proud to be a Professional handler in the sport today. I am encouraged when I see the younger handlers still upholding the traditional professional courtesies and values toward their clients and fellow handlers.”
4. In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed? What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in your profession and in the dog show community over the past decade? One of the biggest challenges facing us today is the lack of new people joining our sport. I feel one of a Professional Handler’s responsibilities should be to encourage and offer a friendly face to the new exhibitors, and the spectators who may eventually become exhibitors, especially today as we experience our sport shrinking. A positive change has been the advent of the NOHS, and the positive camaraderie between Owner Handlers and Professional Handlers willing to share their knowledge and expertise. I am encouraged when I see the younger handlers still upholding the tra- ditional professional courtesies and values towards their clients and fellow handlers. 5. And finally, do you want to tell us anything else about yourself or do you have any messages for the rest of the fancy? I am proud to be a Professional handler in the sport today. I am encouraged when I see the younger handlers still upholding the tra- ditional professional courtesies and values toward their clients and fellow handlers. I feel one of a professional handler’s responsibilities should be to encourage and offer a friendly face to the new exhibitors and spec- tators who may become exhibitors, especially today as we experi- ence our sport shrinking.
Then and now, the majority of judges respect their own rep- utations and their crucial role in this sport, and are work- ing hard to find and reward the best dog in their ring on that day. Overall, I do not think we have too many dog shows. If our shows became few and far between, we stand to lose many exhibitors who would be considering the high cost of travel or the rarity of dog shows in their area as a hardship. Social media offers more good than harm for our sport. Information is more readily available, and it is fun to share puppy pictures, show wins, and stories of our dogs. The harm can be when negative drama is overblown and publi- cized. To remedy that, don’t respond and keep on scrolling! 3. Have the changes made to the Rules Applying to Dog Shows been good for the sport of dogs? Any thoughts on Reserve Best in Show? What about earning points through a Group win or placement? Do you agree that Reserve Winners at a Specialty should earn championship points? I was skeptical at first of the value of Reserve Best in Show when it first was proposed, but I am in favor of it now as I feel it does deserve a solid place in the awards. I believe that Reserve Winners should only earn cham- pionship points at a National Specialty. I am in favor of Group placements earning points, especially helpful for low entry breeds.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024 | 183
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